System and method of restricting access to video content

ABSTRACT

Disclosed are a system and method of restricting access to video content. In a particular embodiment, the method includes sending a request for video content to a set-top box device from a remote user device via a video distribution network. The method also includes receiving location data at the remote user device via the video distribution network, the location data indicating a location of the remote user device. The method also includes indicating at the remote user device that the video content is inaccessible, when access to the video content is restricted within a region that includes the location.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to restricting access to videocontent.

BACKGROUND

Television viewing is part of daily life for many people. For variousreasons, access to some television programs can be restricted.Nonetheless, viewers may be able to circumvent regional restrictions,for example, by accessing video content via remote devices. Hence, thereis a need for an improved system and method of restricting access tovideo content.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of asystem to restrict access to video content;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a second particular illustrative embodimentof a system to restrict access to video content;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a particular illustrative embodiment of amethod of restricting access to video content;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a second particular illustrative embodimentof a method of restricting access to video content;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a third particular illustrative embodimentof a method of restricting access to video content; and

FIG. 6 is a diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A set-top box device is disclosed and includes a processor and a memorydevice accessible to the processor. In a particular embodiment, thememory device can include instructions executable by the processor tocommunicate with a remote user device to receive a request for videocontent via a private access network of an Internet Protocol Television(IPTV) system. Further, the memory device can include instructions todetermine whether a blackout enforcement application is installed at theremote user device. In addition, the set-top box device includes are-director to re-direct the requested video content to the remote userdevice via the private access network when the blackout enforcementapplication is installed at the remote user device. The blackoutenforcement application indicates at the remote user device that thevideo content is inaccessible when at least one data packet of the videocontent indicates that access to the video content is restricted withina market zone that includes a location of the remote user device.

In a particular embodiment, a method of restricting access to videocontent is disclosed and includes sending a request for video content toa set-top box device from a remote user device via a video distributionnetwork. The method also includes receiving location data at the remoteuser device via the video distribution network, the location dataindicating a location of the remote user device. The method alsoincludes indicating at the remote user device that the video content isinaccessible, when access to the video content is restricted within aregion that includes the location.

In another particular embodiment, a method of restricting access tovideo content is disclosed and includes receiving a request for videocontent at a set-top box device from a remote user device via a privateaccess network of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system. Themethod also includes receiving location data at the set-top box devicevia the private access network, the location data indicating a locationof the remote user device. The method also includes not re-directing thevideo content to the remote user device via the private access networkwhen access to the video content is restricted at the location.

In another particular embodiment, a computer-readable medium isdisclosed and includes a group of instructions executable by a processorto receive video content via a private access network of an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) system. The computer-readable medium alsoincludes instructions to communicate with the IPTV system to receivelocation data at the remote user device via the private access network,the location data indicating a location of the remote user device. Thecomputer-readable medium also includes instructions to indicate at theremote user device that the video content is inaccessible, when accessto the video content is restricted at the location.

Referring to FIG. 1, a particular illustrative embodiment of a system torestrict access to video content is illustrated and designated generallyat 100. The system 100 includes a set-top box device 102 thatcommunicates with a central video head-end office 132, via a privatevideo distribution network 134, such as a cable network or an InternetProtocol Television (IPTV) network. In an illustrative, non-limitingembodiment, the set-top box device 102 can be coupled to a customerpremises equipment (CPE) device 126 that communicates with a firstregional video distribution node 130 via a regional network 128, such asa network that serves a neighborhood, metropolitan area, state, nation,other geographic region, or any combination thereof.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the central video head-end office 132 cancommunicate with the first regional video distribution node 130 and witha second regional video distribution node 136 via the private videodistribution network 134. In a particular embodiment, a remote userdevice 140 can communicate with the private video distribution network134 via the second regional video distribution node 136. In anillustrative embodiment, the remote user device 140 can communicate withthe second regional video distribution node 136 over the Internet 138via a network edge device 139.

The remote user device 140 can include a desktop computer, a laptop orother portable computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a cellularphone or other portable phone, any other device adapted to request andreceive video content, or any combination thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the set-top box device 102 can include aprocessor 104 and a memory device 106 accessible to the processor 104.Further, the set-top box device 102 can communicate with the networkaccess CPE 126 via a network interface 108 coupled to the processor 104.In addition, the set-top box device 102 can communicate with a displaydevice 112 via a display interface 110 coupled to the processor 104.Moreover, the set-top box device 102 can communicate with a remotecontrol device 116 via a remote interface 114 coupled to the processor104. In a particular embodiment, the set-top box device 102 can includea digital video recorder (DVR) 109 coupled to the processor 104.

In a particular embodiment, the memory device 106 can include a videocontent control and buffer module 118 that is executable by theprocessor 104 to request video content from the central video head-end132. In addition, the video content control and buffer module 118 can beexecutable by the processor 104 to receive video content from thecentral video head-end 132. In an illustrative embodiment, the videocontent control and buffer module 118 can be executable by the processor104 to receive data packets carrying the video content and to buffer thedata packets to prevent underflow to the display device 112.

In a particular embodiment, the memory device 106 can include are-director module 120 that is executable by the processor 104 tocommunicate with the remote user device 140 via the private videodistribution network 134. For example, the re-director module 120 can beexecutable by the processor 104 to communicate with the remote userdevice 140 to receive a request from the remote user device 140 forvideo content, to determine whether a blackout enforcement application141 or similar application is installed at the remote user device 140,to re-direct video content to the remote user device 140, to make othercommunications with the remote user device 140, or any combinationthereof. In an illustrative embodiment, the re-director module 120 canbe executable by the processor 104 to re-direct video content by sendingvideo content received at the set-top box device 102 to the remote userdevice 140 via the private video distribution network 134 or byinstructing a video server or other server at the central video head-end132 to send video content to the remote user device 140.

In a particular embodiment, the memory device 106 can include a blackoutdetermination module 122 that is executable by the processor 104 todetermine whether video content is restricted. In an illustrativeembodiment, where video content received by the set-top box device 102is carried by marked data packets, the blackout determination module 122can be executable by the processor 104 to determine whether data, aheader, or any combination thereof, within one or more leading datapackets or other data packets of the video content indicate that thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction. Inaddition, the blackout determination module 122 can be executable by theprocessor 104 to determine, based on such data packets, at least onelocation, such as a neighborhood, metropolitan area, state, nation,other geographical region or market zone, or any combination thereof,within which the video content is subject to the blackout or otherrestriction.

In a particular illustrative embodiment, the blackout determinationmodule 122 can be executable by the processor 104 to instruct the DVR109 to record requested video content, when the requested video contentis subject to a blackout or other restriction at a location, or within aregion that includes the location, of the remote user device 140, butnot at a location, or within a region that includes the location, of theset-top box device 102. For example, if the requested video content is aDallas Cowboys game that is blacked out in Dallas, where the remote userdevice 140 is located, but not blacked out in Los Angeles, where theset-top box device 102 is located, the set-top box device 102 mayautomatically record the requested video content via the DVR 109.

In a particular embodiment, the re-director module 120, the blackoutdetermination module 122, or any combination thereof, can be executableby the processor 104 to receive location data from the central videohead-end 132 indicating a location of the remote user device 140.Moreover, the re-director module 120, the blackout determination module122, or any combination thereof, can be executable by the processor 104to not re-direct video content to the remote user device 140 when thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction at alocation, or within a region that includes the location, of the remoteuser device 140. For example, the re-director module 120, the blackoutdetermination module 122, or any combination thereof, can be executableby the processor 104 to not send video content received at the set-topbox device 102 to the remote user device 140. In another embodiment, there-director module 120, the blackout determination module 122, or anycombination thereof, can be executable by the processor 104 to instructa video server or other server of the central video head-end 132 to notsend the video content to the remote user device 140.

In a particular, illustrative embodiment, the memory device 106 caninclude a payment interface module 124 that is executable by theprocessor 104 to send a payment interface to the remote user device 140when video content is subject to a blackout or other restriction thatcan be lifted, reversed, or negated, in return for a payment. Forexample, the re-director module 120, the blackout determination module122, the payment interface module 124, or any combination thereof, canbe executable by the processor 104 to determine whether data, a header,or any combination thereof, within one or more leading data packets orother data packets of the video content indicate that a blackout orother restriction that can be lifted, reversed, or negated, in returnfor a payment. The payment interface module 124 can send a paymentinterface to the remote user device 140 via the private videodistribution network 134 and can receive payment information from theremote user device 140 via the interface. In another embodiment, thepayment interface module 124 can be executable by the processor 104 toinstruct the remote user device 140, or an application operated thereon,to display a payment interface at the remote user device 140.

In an illustrative embodiment, the re-director module 120, the blackoutdetermination module 122, the payment interface module 124, or anycombination thereof can be executable by the processor 104 to instruct abilling server, data server, other server, or any combination thereof,at the central video head-end 132 to send the restricted video contentto the remote user device 140 after payment information is received atthe set-top box device 102, at a billing server at the central videohead-end 132 or a regional video distribution node, or any combinationthereof. In another illustrative embodiment, the set-top box device 102can send the restricted video content to the remote user device 140after payment information is received at the set-top box device 102, ata billing server at the central video head-end 132 or a regional videodistribution node, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, one or more of the various modules118-124 can include hardware logic, software logic, or any combinationthereof, adapted to provide various functions of the set-top box device102. For example, one or more of the modules 118-124 can includecomputer instructions that are executable by the processor 104, wherethe instructions are stored as one or more computer programs by thememory device 106.

In a particular embodiment, the remote user device 140 can include ablackout enforcement application 141 that is executable by a processor142 to receive requested video content from the set-top box device 102or from the central video head-end 132, via the private videodistribution network 134. Further, the blackout enforcement application141 can be executable by the processor 142 to determine whether thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction, forexample, based on at least one marked data packet of the video content.

In a particular embodiment, the blackout enforcement application 141 canbe executable by the processor 142 to receive location data from thecentral video head-end 132 indicating a location of the remote userdevice 140, such as a market zone. The blackout enforcement application141 can be executable by the processor 142 to determine whether thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction at thelocation, or within a region that includes the location, of the remoteuser device 140. The blackout enforcement application 141 can beexecutable by the processor 142 to cause the remote user device 140 tonot display the video content when the video content is subject to ablackout or other restriction at the location, or within a region thatincludes the location, of the remote user device 140.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the blackout enforcementapplication 141 can be executable by the processor 142 to determinewhether a blackout or other restriction can be lifted, reversed, ornegated in return for a payment and to cause the remote user device 140to display a payment interface. The blackout enforcement application 141can be executable by the processor 142 to receive payment informationvia the payment interface and to send the payment information to theset-top box device 102, the central video head-end 132, a regional videodistribution node, or any combination thereof. The blackout enforcementapplication 141 can be executable by the processor 142 to cause theremote user device 140 to display the restricted video content afterpayment information is received at the remote user device 140, set-topbox device 102, the central video head-end 132, a regional videodistribution node, or any combination thereof.

Referring to FIG. 2, an illustrative embodiment of an Internet ProtocolTelevision (IPTV) system that may be used to restrict access to videocontent is illustrated and is generally designated 200. As shown, thesystem 200 can include a client facing tier 202, an application tier204, an acquisition tier 206, and an operations and management tier 208.Each tier 202, 204, 206, 208 is coupled to a private network 210; to apublic network 212, such as the Internet; or to both the private network210 and the public network 212. For example, the client-facing tier 202can be coupled to the private network 210. Further, the application tier204 can be coupled to the private network 210 and to the public network212. The acquisition tier 206 can also be coupled to the private network210 and to the public network 212. Additionally, the operations andmanagement tier 208 can be coupled to the public network 212.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the various tiers 202, 204, 206, 208communicate with each other via the private network 210 and the publicnetwork 212. For instance, the client-facing tier 202 can communicatewith the application tier 204 and the acquisition tier 206 via theprivate network 210. The application tier 204 can communicate with theacquisition tier 206 via the private network 210. Further, theapplication tier 204 can communicate with the acquisition tier 206 andthe operations and management tier 208 via the public network 212.Moreover, the acquisition tier 206 can communicate with the operationsand management tier 208 via the public network 212. In a particularembodiment, elements of the application tier 204, including, but notlimited to, a client gateway 250, can communicate directly with theclient-facing tier 202.

The client-facing tier 202 can communicate with user equipment via anaccess network 266, such as an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)access network. In an illustrative embodiment, customer premisesequipment (CPE) 214, 222 can be coupled to a local switch, router, orother device of the access network 266. The client-facing tier 202 cancommunicate with a first representative set-top box device 216 via thefirst CPE 214 and with a second representative set-top box device 224via the second CPE 222. In a particular embodiment, the firstrepresentative set-top box device 216 and the first CPE 214 can belocated at a first customer premises, and the second representativeset-top box device 224 and the second CPE 222 can be located at a secondcustomer premises. In another particular embodiment, the firstrepresentative set-top box device 216 and the second representativeset-top box device 224 can be located at a single customer premises,both coupled to one of the CPE 214, 222.

The CPE 214, 222 can include routers, local area network devices,modems, such as digital subscriber line (DSL) modems, residentialgateway devices, any other suitable devices for facilitatingcommunication between a set-top box device and the access network 266,or any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, theclient-facing tier 202 can be coupled to the CPE 214, 222 via fiberoptic cables. In another exemplary embodiment, the CPE 214, 222 can bedigital subscriber line (DSL) modems that are coupled to one or morenetwork nodes via twisted pairs, and the client-facing tier 202 can becoupled to the network nodes via fiber-optic cables. Each set-top boxdevice 216, 224 can process data received via the access network 266,via an IPTV software platform, such as Microsoft® TV IPTV Edition.

The first set-top box device 216 can be coupled to a first externaldisplay device, such as a first television monitor 218, and the secondset-top box device 224 can be coupled to a second external displaydevice, such as a second television monitor 226. Moreover, the firstset-top box device 216 can communicate with a first remote control 220,and the second set-top box device 224 can communicate with a secondremote control 228. The set-top box devices 216, 224 can include IPTVset-top box devices; video gaming devices or consoles that are adaptedto receive IPTV content; personal computers or other computing devicesthat are adapted to emulate set-top box device functionalities; anyother device adapted to receive IPTV content and transmit data to anIPTV system via an access network; or any combination thereof.

In an exemplary, non-limiting embodiment, each set-top box device 216,224 can receive data, video, or any combination thereof, from theclient-facing tier 202 via the access network 266 and render or displaythe data, video, or any combination thereof, at the display device 218,226 to which it is coupled. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-topbox devices 216, 224 can include tuners that receive and decodetelevision programming signals or packet streams for transmission to thedisplay devices 218, 226. Further, the set-top box devices 216, 224 caninclude a STB processor 270 and a STB memory device 272 that isaccessible to the STB processor 270. In one embodiment, a computerprogram, such as the STB computer program 274, can be embedded withinthe STB memory device 272.

In a particular embodiment, each of the set-top box devices, such as thesecond representative set-top box device 224, can include a re-directorportion 225 adapted to communicate with a remote user device, such asthe user computing device 268, via the access network 266. In anillustrative embodiment, the re-director portion 225 can includehardware coupled to the second representative set-top box device 224;hardware integrated with the second representative set-top box device224; software instructions stored at the second representative set-topbox device 224; or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the user computing device268 can communicate with the IPTV system 200 via the public network 212.The re-director portion 225 can receive a request from the usercomputing device 268 for video content; determine whether a blackoutenforcement application or similar application is installed at the usercomputing device 268; re-direct video content to the user computingdevice 268; or any combination thereof. The re-director portion 225 canre-direct video content by sending video content received at the set-topbox device 224 to the user computing device 268 via the access network266 or by instructing a video server 280 or other server of the IPTVsystem 200 to send video content to the user computing device 268.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 202 can include aclient-facing tier (CFT) switch 230 that manages communication betweenthe client-facing tier 202 and the access network 266 and between theclient-facing tier 202 and the private network 210. As illustrated, theCFT switch 230 is coupled to one or more data servers, such as D-servers232, that store, format, encode, replicate, or otherwise manipulate orprepare video content for communication from the client-facing tier 202to the set-top box devices 216, 224. The CFT switch 230 can also becoupled to a terminal server 234 that provides terminal devices with aconnection point to the private network 210. In a particular embodiment,the CFT switch 230 can be coupled to a video-on-demand (VOD) server 236that stores or provides VOD content imported by the IPTV system 200.Further, the CFT switch 230 is coupled to one or more video servers 280that receive video content and send the video content to the set-topboxes 216, 224 via the access network 266. In a particular embodiment,the video servers 280 can send video content to the user computingdevice 268 via the public network 212.

In an illustrative embodiment, the client-facing tier 202 cancommunicate with a large number of set-top boxes via the access network266, such as the representative set-top boxes 216, 224, over a widegeographic area, such as a neighborhood area, a metropolitan area, aviewing area, a statewide area, a regional area, a nationwide area orany other suitable geographic area, market area, or subscriber orcustomer group that can be supported by networking the client-facingtier 202 to numerous set-top box devices. In a particular embodiment,the CFT switch 230, or any portion thereof, can include a multicastrouter or switch that communicates with multiple set-top box devices viaa multicast-enabled network.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the application tier 204 can communicate withboth the private network 210 and the public network 212. The applicationtier 204 can include a first application tier (APP) switch 238 and asecond APP switch 240. In a particular embodiment, the first APP switch238 can be coupled to the second APP switch 240. The first APP switch238 can be coupled to an application server 242 and to an OSS/BSSgateway 244. In a particular embodiment, the application server 242 canprovide applications to the set-top box devices 216, 224 via the accessnetwork 266, which enable the set-top box devices 216, 224 to providefunctions, such as interactive program guides, video gaming, display,messaging, processing of VOD material and other IPTV content, etc. In aparticular embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 244 includes operationsystems and support (OSS) data, as well as billing systems and support(BSS) data. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 244 can provide orrestrict access to an OSS/BSS server 264 that stores operations andbilling systems data.

The second APP switch 240 can be coupled to a domain controller 246 thatprovides Internet access, for example, to users at their computers viathe public network 212. For example, the domain controller 246 canprovide remote Internet access to IPTV account information, e-mail,personalized Internet services, or other online services via the publicnetwork 212. In addition, the second APP switch 240 can be coupled to asubscriber and system store 248 that includes account information, suchas account information that is associated with users who access the IPTVsystem 200 via the private network 210 or the public network 212. In anillustrative embodiment, the subscriber and system store 248 can storesubscriber or customer data and create subscriber or customer profilesthat are associated with IP addresses, stock-keeping unit (SKU) numbers,other identifiers, or any combination thereof, of corresponding set-topbox devices 216, 224. Further, the second APP switch 240 can communicatewith a user computing device 268 via the public network 212. Moreover,the second APP switch 240 can be coupled to a location server 249 thatis adapted to determine a location of a remote user device, such as theuser computing device 268.

In a particular embodiment, the application tier 204 can include aclient gateway 250 that communicates data directly to the client-facingtier 202. In this embodiment, the client gateway 250 can be coupleddirectly to the CFT switch 230. The client gateway 250 can provide useraccess to the private network 210 and the tiers coupled thereto. In anillustrative embodiment, the set-top box devices 216, 224, or otherdevices coupled to the CPE 214, 222, can access the IPTV system 200 viathe access network 266, using information received from the clientgateway 250. User devices can access the client gateway 250 via theaccess network 266, and the client gateway 250 can allow such devices toaccess the private network 210 once the devices are authenticated orverified. Similarly, the client gateway 250 can prevent unauthorizeddevices, such as hacker computers or stolen set-top box devices fromaccessing the private network 210, by denying access to these devicesbeyond the access network 266.

For example, when the first representative set-top box device 216accesses the client-facing tier 202 via the access network 266, theclient gateway 250 can verify subscriber information by communicatingwith the subscriber and system store 248 via the private network 210.Further, the client gateway 250 can verify billing information andstatus by communicating with the OSS/BSS gateway 244 via the privatenetwork 210. In one embodiment, the OSS/BSS gateway 244 can transmit aquery via the public network 212 to the OSS/BSS server 264. After theclient gateway 250 confirms subscriber and/or billing information, theclient gateway 250 can allow the set-top box device 216 to access IPTVcontent and VOD content at the client-facing tier 202. If the clientgateway 250 cannot verify subscriber information for the set-top boxdevice 216, e.g., because it is connected to an unauthorized twistedpair, the client gateway 250 can block transmissions to and from theset-top box device 216 beyond the access network 266.

As indicated in FIG. 2, the acquisition tier 206 includes an acquisitiontier (AQT) switch 252 that communicates with the private network 210.The AQT switch 252 can also communicate with the operations andmanagement tier 208 via the public network 212. In a particularembodiment, the AQT switch 252 can be coupled to a live acquisitionserver 254 that receives or acquires television content, movie content,advertisement content, other video content, or any combination thereof,from a broadcast service 256, such as a satellite acquisition system orsatellite head-end office. In a particular embodiment, the liveacquisition server 254 can transmit content to the AQT switch 252, andthe AQT switch 252 can transmit the content to the CFT switch 230 viathe private network 210.

In an illustrative embodiment, content can be transmitted to theD-servers 232, where it can be encoded, formatted, stored, replicated,or otherwise manipulated and prepared for communication from the videoserver(s) 280 to the set-top box devices 216, 224. The CFT switch 230can receive content from the video server(s) 280 and communicate thecontent to the CPE 214, 222 via the access network 266. The set-top boxdevices 216, 224 can receive the content via the CPE 214, 222, and cantransmit the content to the television monitors 218, 226. In anillustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of the content can bestreamed to the set-top box devices 216, 224.

Further, the AQT switch 252 can be coupled to a video-on-demand importerserver 258 that receives and stores television or movie content receivedat the acquisition tier 206 and communicates the stored content to theVOD server 236 at the client-facing tier 202 via the private network210. Additionally, at the acquisition tier 206, the video-on-demand(VOD) importer server 258 can receive content from one or more VODsources outside the IPTV system 200, such as movie studios andprogrammers of non-live content. The VOD importer server 258 cantransmit the VOD content to the AQT switch 252, and the AQT switch 252,in turn, can communicate the material to the CFT switch 230 via theprivate network 210. The VOD content can be stored at one or moreservers, such as the VOD server 236.

When users issue requests for VOD content via the set-top box devices216, 224, the requests can be transmitted over the access network 266 tothe VOD server 236, via the CFT switch 230. Upon receiving suchrequests, the VOD server 236 can retrieve the requested VOD content andtransmit the content to the set-top box devices 216, 224 across theaccess network 266, via the CFT switch 230. The set-top box devices 216,224 can transmit the VOD content to the television monitors 218, 226. Inan illustrative embodiment, video or audio portions of VOD content canbe streamed to the set-top box devices 216, 224.

FIG. 2 further illustrates that the operations and management tier 208can include an operations and management tier (OMT) switch 260 thatconducts communication between the operations and management tier 208and the public network 212. In the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 2, theOMT switch 260 is coupled to a TV2 server 262. Additionally, the OMTswitch 260 can be coupled to an OSS/BSS server 264 and to a simplenetwork management protocol (SNMP) monitor 286 that monitors networkdevices within or coupled to the IPTV system 200. In a particularembodiment, the OMT switch 260 can communicate with the AQT switch 252via the public network 212.

In an illustrative embodiment, the live acquisition server 254 cantransmit content to the AQT switch 252, and the AQT switch 252, in turn,can transmit the content to the OMT switch 260 via the public network212. In this embodiment, the OMT switch 260 can transmit the content tothe TV2 server 262 for display to users accessing the user interface atthe TV2 server 262. For example, a user can access the TV2 server 262using a personal computer 268 coupled to the public network 212.

In a particular illustrative embodiment, the location server 249 canassign codes to various locations, such as market zone codes. Certainmarket zone codes can be sent to the D-servers 232, video servers 280,other servers, or any combination thereof, to mark data packets of videocontent that is subject to a blackout or other restriction with dataindicating market zones or other locations or regions within which thevideo content is restricted.

In a particular embodiment, the user computing device 268 can send arequest to the second representative set-top box device 224, forexample, to receive certain video content. In an illustrativeembodiment, the request can be communicated over the public network 212to the IPTV system 200 and from the IPTV system 200 to the secondrepresentative set-top box device 224 via the access network 266. In anillustrative embodiment, the second representative set-top box device224 can communicate with the user computing device 268 via the accessnetwork 266 to determine whether a blackout enforcement application orsimilar application is installed at the user computing device 268. Ifsuch an application is not installed at the user computing device 268,the second representative set-top box device 224 can send an instructionto the application server 242, for example, to install the applicationat the user computing device 268. If the application is refused at theuser computing device 268, the second representative set-top box device224 can terminate communication with the user computing device 268, orthe second representative set-top box device 224 or application server242 can send data to the user computing device 268 indicating that theapplication must be installed at the user computing device 268 beforevideo content can be re-directed to the user computing device 268.

The second representative set-top box device 224 can request the videocontent from the video servers 280 or other server(s) of the IPTV system200. In a particular embodiment, the second representative set-top boxdevice 224 can receive one or more marked data packets related to thevideo content that include data, header information, or any combinationthereof, indicating whether the video content is subject to a blackoutor other restriction; one or more market zones within which the videocontent is subject to a blackout or other restriction; or anycombination thereof. The marked data packet(s) can carry the videocontent. Alternatively, the marked data packet(s) can be leading datapackets that carry data related to the video content and are sent inadvance of data packets carrying the video content.

In an illustrative embodiment, the second representative set-top boxdevice 224 can re-direct the marked data packet(s) to the user computingdevice 268 via the re-director portion 225. The blackout enforcementapplication or other application stored at the user computing device 268can be adapted to determine whether the requested video content issubject to a blackout or other restriction based on blackout dataincluded in the marked data packet(s). In addition, the application canbe adapted to determine one or more market zones or other locations orregions within which the requested video content is restricted. If thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction, theapplication can be adapted to communicate with the location server 249to receive location data indicating a market zone or other location ofthe user computing device 268 and to cause the user computing device 268to not display the video content when the video content is subject to ablackout or other restriction at the location, or within a region thatincludes the location, of the user computing device 268.

In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, the location server 249 candetermine a location of the user computing device 268 by determining alocation of a network edge device from which communications sent by theuser computing device 268 are received. For example, the location server249 can identify a location associated with a network edge device, suchas the edge device 139 illustrated in FIG. 1. In another embodiment, thelocation server 249 or other device of the IPTV system 200 can store IPaddresses in association with various locations and determine a locationof the user computing device 268 based at least partially on the IPaddress from which communications are sent by the user computing device268.

In a particular embodiment, the blackout enforcement or otherapplication stored at the user computing device 268 can be adapted todetermine whether a blackout or other restriction can be lifted,reversed, or negated in return for a payment and to cause the usercomputing device 268 to display a payment interface. The application canbe adapted to receive payment information via the payment interface andto send the payment information to the second representative set-top boxdevice 224, the OSS/BSS server 264 or other billing server of the IPTVsystem 200, or any combination thereof. Further, the application can beadapted to cause the user computing device 268 to display the restrictedvideo content after payment information is received at the usercomputing device 268, second representative set-top box device 224, theOSS/BSS server 264 or other billing server of the IPTV system 200, orany combination thereof.

In another illustrative embodiment, the second representative set-topbox device 224, re-director 225, or any combination thereof, candetermine whether the requested video content is subject to a blackoutor other restriction based on the marked data packets. In addition, thesecond representative set-top box device 224, re-director 225, or anycombination thereof, can determine one or more market zones or otherlocations within which the video content is subject to the restriction.Further, the second representative set-top box device 224, re-director225, or any combination thereof, can receive location data from thelocation server 249, or other server of the IPTV system 200, thatindicates a location of the user computing device 268.

The second representative set-top box device 224, re-director 225, orany combination thereof, can determine based at least partially on themarked data packets, the location data, or any combination thereof,whether the video content is subject to a restriction at a location, orwithin a region that includes the location, of the user computing device268. If the video content is not subject to a restriction at thelocation, or within a region that includes the location, of the usercomputing device 268, the second representative set-top box device 224,re-director 225, or any combination thereof, can re-direct the requestedvideo content to the user computing device 268 by sending the videocontent to the user computing device 268 or instructing a video server280 or other server of the IPTV system 200 to send the video content tothe user computing device 268. If the video content is subject to arestriction at the location, or within a region that includes thelocation, of the user computing device 268, the second representativeset-top box device 224, re-director 225, or any combination thereof, cannot re-direct the requested video content to the user computing device268. In an exemplary embodiment, the second representative set-top boxdevice 224, re-director 225, or any combination thereof, can send datato the user computing device 268 indicating that the video contentcannot be accessed or is unavailable.

Referring to FIG. 3, a particular illustrative embodiment of a method ofrestricting access to video content is illustrated. At block 300, a usercomputing device sends a request for video content to a set-top boxdevice via a video distribution network. For example, a user can use aportable computing device to communicate with a private access networkof an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) system via the Internet at alocation that is remote from the set-top box device. In a particularembodiment, the user computing device can control the set-top box devicevia a re-director device or application at the set-top box device.

Moving to decision node 302, in an illustrative embodiment, the usercomputing device can determine whether a blackout enforcementapplication or other similar application is installed at the usercomputing device. If the user computing device determines that such anapplication is installed at the user computing device, the method canadvance to block 306. Conversely, if the user computing devicedetermines that such an application is not installed at the usercomputing device, the method can proceed to decision node 304, and theuser computing device can determine whether it will install theapplication. For example, if the application is not installed at theuser computing device, the user computing device can receive an offer orprompt to install the application from the set-top box device or anapplication server of the IPTV system. A user can select to install ornot install the application. If the user computing device does notinstall the application, the method terminates 324. On the other hand,if the user computing device installs the application, the methodcontinues to block 306.

At block 306, in a particular embodiment, the user computing device canreceive the requested video content. The video content can be receivedfrom the set-top box device or from a server of the IPTV system or othervideo head-end. In an illustrative embodiment, a secure connection canbe established between the user computing device and the IPTV or othervideo head-end for transfer of video content. Moving to decision node307, the user computing device can determine whether the video contentis subject to a blackout or other restriction. In an illustrativeembodiment, the video content can include data indicating whether thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction. If the usercomputing device determines that the video content is not subject to ablackout or other restriction, the method proceeds to block 322, and thevideo content is sent to a display integrated with, or coupled to, theuser computing device.

On the other hand, if user computing device determines that the videocontent is subject to a blackout or other restriction, the methodadvances to block 308, and the user computing device receives locationdata from the IPTV system or other video head-end indicating a locationof the user computing device. Continuing to decision node 310, the usercomputing device determines based on the data received with the videocontent whether the video content is restricted at a location, or withina region that includes the location, of the user computing device. Ifthe video content is not restricted at a location, or within a regionthat includes the location, of the user computing device, the methodproceeds to block 322, and the user computing device sends the videocontent to the display. Whereas, in an illustrative embodiment, if thevideo content is restricted at the location, or within a region thatincludes the location, of the user computing device, the method can moveto block 312, and the user computing device can send a blackout noticeor other restriction notice to the display.

In a particular embodiment, the method can continue to decision node314, and the user computing device can determine whether the videocontent is available to purchase, for example, based on data receivedwith the video content. If the video content is not available topurchase, the method terminates at 324. Conversely, if the video contentis available to purchase, the method can proceed to block 316, and theuser computing device can send a payment interface to the display.Advancing to decision node 318, the user computing device can determinewhether payment information is received via the payment interface. Ifpayment information is not received, the method terminates at 324. Onthe other hand, if payment information is received, the method moves toblock 320, and the video content can be sent to the display. The methodthen terminates at 324.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second particular illustrative embodiment of amethod of restricting access to video content is illustrated. At block400, a set-top box device receives a request for video content from aremote user device via a video distribution network. Moving to decisionnode 402, in an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box device candetermine whether a blackout enforcement application or other similarapplication is installed at the remote user device. If the set-top boxdevice determines that such an application is installed at the remoteuser device, the method can advance to block 406. Conversely, in anillustrative embodiment, if the set-top box device determines that suchan application is not installed at the remote user device, the methodcan proceed to block 404, and the set-top box device instruct anapplication server of the IPTV system or other video head-end to installthe application at the remote user device. Alternatively, the set-topbox device can receive the application and install it at the remote userdevice. The method then continues to block 406.

At block 406, in a particular embodiment, the set-top box device canreceive the requested video content. For example, the set-top box devicecan request and receive marked data packets of the video content from aserver of the IPTV system or other video head-end. Moving to decisionnode 408, the set-top box device can determine whether the video contentis subject to a blackout or other restriction. In an illustrativeembodiment, the video content can include data indicating whether thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction. If theset-top box device determines that the video content is not subject to ablackout or other restriction, the method proceeds to block 430, and theset-top box device re-directs the video content to the remote userdevice. In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box device can sendthe video content to the remote user device or can instruct a videoserver or other server of the IPTV system or other video head-end tosend the video content to the remote user device.

In a particular embodiment, if the set-top box device determines thatthe video content is subject to a blackout or other restriction, themethod advances to block 410, and the set-top box device receiveslocation data indicating a location of the remote user device from theIPTV system or other video head-end. Continuing to decision node 412,the set-top box device determines whether the remote user device islocated within a market zone or other location or region where theset-top box device is located. If the set-top box device determines thatthe remote user device is located within the market zone of the set-topbox device, for example, the method proceeds to decision node 414, andthe set-top box device determines based on the data received with thevideo content whether the video content is restricted within the marketzone of the set-top box device.

If the set-top box device determines that the video content is notrestricted within the market zone of the set-top box device, the methodproceeds to block 418, and the set-top box device can re-direct thevideo content to the remote user device. Whereas, in a particularembodiment, if the set-top box device determines that the video contentis restricted within the market zone of the set-top box device, themethod can move to decision node 416, and the set-top box device candetermine whether the user purchases the video content. For example, theset-top box device can determine based on data received with the videocontent that the video content can be purchased and can send a paymentinterface to the remote user device. If payment information is receivedvia the payment interface, the method can proceed to block 418, and theset-top box device can re-direct the video content to the remote userdevice. Conversely, if payment information is not received, the methodproceeds to block 432, and the set-top box device enforces the blackoutor other restriction, for instance, by not sending the video content tothe remote user device; by instructing a server of the IPTV system orother video head-end to not send the video content to the remote userdevice; by instructing a blackout enforcement application at the remoteuser device not to send the video content to a display; or anycombination thereof.

Returning to decision node 412, if the set-top box device determinesthat the remote user device is not located within the market zone orother location of the set-top box device, the method can proceed todecision node 420, and the set-top box device can determine whether thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction at alocation, or within a region that includes the location, of the remoteuser device. If the video content is not restricted at a location, orwithin a region that includes the location, of the remote user device,the method proceeds to block 430, and the set-top box device re-directsthe video content to the remote user device.

Conversely, in an illustrative embodiment, if the video content isrestricted at a location, or within a region that includes the location,of the remote user device, the method can move to decision node 422, andthe set-top box device can determine whether the video content isrestricted at a location, or within a region that includes the location,of the set-top box device. If the set-top box device determines that thevideo content is restricted at a location, or within a region thatincludes the location, of the set-top box device, the method advances todecision node 426. On the other hand, if the set-top box devicedetermines that the video content is not restricted or will not berestricted in the future at a location, or within a region that includesthe location, of the set-top box device, the method can continue toblock 424, and the set-top box device can record the video content.

Moving to decision node 426, in a particular embodiment, the set-top boxdevice can determine whether the remote user device is communicatingwith the IPTV system or other video head-end via a private network of avideo service provider. If the set-top box device determines that theremote user device is not communicating via the private network, themethod proceeds to block 432, and the set-top box device can enforce theblackout or other restriction. On the other hand, if the remote userdevice is communicating via the private network, the method moves todecision node 428, and the set-top box device determines whether itreceives payment information from the remote user device. If the set-topbox receives payment information, the method continues to block 430, andthe set-top box re-directs the requested video content to the remoteuser device. If the set-top box does not receive payment information,the method proceeds to block 432, and the set-top box device enforcesthe blackout or other restriction. The method then terminates at 434.

Referring to FIG. 5, a third particular illustrative embodiment of amethod of restricting access to video content is illustrated. At block500, a video server or other server of an Internet Protocol Television(IPTV) system or other video head-end receives video content from anacquisition source. Moving to decision node 502, the server candetermine whether the video content is subject to a blackout or otherrestriction. For example, information sent with the video content canindicate whether the video content is subject to such a restriction.Alternatively, the server or another server of the IPTV system or othervideo head-end can store data associating certain video content withblackouts or other restrictions. If the server determines that the videocontent is not subject to a restriction, the method can advance to block506. Whereas, in an illustrative embodiment, if the server determinesthat the video content is subject to a restriction, the method canproceed to block 504, and the server can add data to the video contentthat includes codes or other information indicating market zones orother regions or locations within which the video content is subject tothe restriction. The method continues to block 506.

At block 506, the server receives a request for video content from aset-top box device. Moving to block 508, the server sends the requestedvideo content to the set-top box device. Continuing to decision node510, in a particular embodiment, the server determines whether it hasreceived a command or instruction to send the video content to a remoteuser device communicating with the set-top box device. In anillustrative embodiment, if the server receives such an instruction, themethod proceeds to block 512, and the server sends the video content tothe remote user device via a secure connection. The method terminates at514.

In a particular embodiment, the steps of the methods described hereincan be executed in the order shown by the figures. In alternativeembodiments, some steps can be executed simultaneously or in alternativesequences.

In conjunction with the configuration of structure described herein, thesystem and method disclosed restrict access to video content that issubject to a blackout or other restriction within one or more marketzones or other regions or locations. In a particular illustrativeembodiment, a user computing device can send a request to a set-top boxdevice to receive video content. In an illustrative embodiment, theset-top box device can communicate with the user computing device via avideo distribution network of an Internet Protocol Television (IPTV)system or other video head-end.

The set-top box device can request the video content from a video serveror other server of the IPTV system or other video head-end. In aparticular embodiment, the set-top box device can receive one or moremarked data packets related to the video content that include data,header information, or any combination thereof, indicating whether thevideo content is subject to a blackout or other restriction, one or moremarket zones within which the video content is subject to a blackout orother restriction, or any combination thereof.

In an illustrative embodiment, the set-top box device can re-direct themarked data packet(s) to the user computing device via a re-directorportion of the set-top box device. A blackout enforcement application orother application stored at the user computing device can be adapted todetermine whether the requested video content is subject to a blackoutor other restriction based on blackout data included in the marked datapacket(s). In addition, the application can be adapted to determine oneor more market zones or other regions or locations in which therequested video content is restricted. If the video content is subjectto a blackout or other restriction, the application can be adapted tocommunicate with a location server of the IPTV system or other videohead-end to receive location data indicating a market zone or otherlocation of the user computing device and to cause the user computingdevice to not display the video content when the video content issubject to a blackout or other restriction at a location, or within aregion that includes the location, of the user computing device.

In another illustrative embodiment, the set-top box device, re-director,or any combination thereof, can determine whether the requested videocontent is subject to a blackout or other restriction based on themarked data packets. In addition, the set-top box device, re-director,or any combination thereof, can determine one or more market zones orother regions or locations in which the video content is subject to therestriction. Further, the set-top box device, re-director, or anycombination thereof, can receive location data from the location server,or another server of the IPTV system or other video head-end, thatindicates a location of the user computing device.

The set-top box device, re-director, or any combination thereof, candetermine based at least partially on the marked data packets, thelocation data, or any combination thereof, whether the video content issubject to a restriction at a location, or within a region that includesthe location, of the user computing device. If the video content is notsubject to a restriction at a location, or within a region that includesthe location, of the user computing device, the set-top box device,re-director, or any combination thereof, can re-direct the requestedvideo content to the user computing device by sending the video contentto the user computing device or instructing a video server or otherserver of the IPTV system or other video head-end to send the videocontent to the user computing device. If the video content is subject toa restriction at a location, or within a region that includes thelocation, of the user computing device, the set-top box device,re-director, or any combination thereof, can not re-direct the requestedvideo content to the user computing device. In an exemplary embodiment,the set-top box device, re-director, or any combination thereof, cansend data to the user computing device indicating that the video contentcannot be accessed or is unavailable.

Referring to FIG. 6, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 600. The computer system 600 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 600 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 600, or any portionthereof, may operate as a standalone device or may be connected, e.g.,using a network, to other computer systems or peripheral devices,including a server or other system, a set-top box device, a remote usercomputing device, or other communications device, or any combinationthereof, as shown in FIGS. 1-2.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of an IPTV server, such as location server, application server,or video server, or a set-top box device, remote user computing device,or other communications device. The computer system 600 can also beimplemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as a personalcomputer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personal digitalassistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptop computer,a desktop computer, a communications device, a wireless telephone, aland-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner, a facsimilemachine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, a web appliance,a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machine capable ofexecuting a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specifyactions to be taken by that machine. In a particular embodiment, thecomputer system 600 can be implemented using electronic devices thatprovide voice, video or data communication. Further, while a singlecomputer system 600 is illustrated, the term “system” shall also betaken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems thatindividually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructionsto perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the computer system 600 may include aprocessor 602, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), agraphics-processing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system600 can include a main memory 604 and a static memory 606 that cancommunicate with each other via a bus 608. As shown, the computer system600 may further include a video display unit 610, such as a liquidcrystal display (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flatpanel display, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 600 may include an input device 612,such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 614, such as a mouse.The computer system 600 can also include a disk drive unit 616, a signalgeneration device 618, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 620.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 6, the disk drive unit616 may include a computer-readable medium 622 in which one or more setsof instructions 624, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 624 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 624 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 604,the static memory 606, and/or within the processor 602 during executionby the computer system 600. The main memory 604 and the processor 602also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 624 or receives and executes instructions 624responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to anetwork 626 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 626.Further, the instructions 624 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 626 via the network interface device 620.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

In accordance with various embodiments, the methods described herein maybe implemented as one or more software programs running on a computerprocessor. Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limitedto, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement themethods described herein. Furthermore, alternative softwareimplementations including, but not limited to, distributed processing orcomponent/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtualmachine processing can also be constructed to implement the methodsdescribed herein.

It should also be noted that software that implements the disclosedmethods may optionally be stored on a tangible storage medium, such as:a magnetic medium, such as a disk or tape; a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk; or a solid state medium, such as a memory cardor other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile)memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile)memories. The software may also utilize a signal containing computerinstructions. A digital file attachment to e-mail or otherself-contained information archive or set of archives is considered adistribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium.Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangible storagemedium or distribution medium as listed herein, and other equivalentsand successor media, in which the software implementations herein may bestored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and otherpacket switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed hereinare considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may begrouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of restricting access to video content,the method comprising: sending a request for video content to a set-topbox device from a remote user device via a video distribution network,the request causing recording of the video content in response to thevideo content being unrestricted at a location of the set-top box devicewhile the video content is restricted at a location of the remote userdevice when the request is sent; analyzing, at the remote user device,data of video content received at the remote user device in response tothe request to determine whether the video content is subject to alocation restriction; receiving location data at the remote user devicewhen the video content is subject to the location restriction, thelocation data indicating a location estimate of the remote user device;and sending a restriction notice to a display device of the remote userdevice when analysis of the location estimate indicates that the remoteuser device is within a region where the video content is locationrestricted.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing data of thevideo content comprises determining whether access to the video contentis location restricted based on at least one marked data packet of thevideo content.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one markeddata packet includes a leading data packet related to the video content.4. The method of claim 2, wherein the at least one marked data packetincludes marking data indicating that the video content is subject to ablackout condition, that the video content is not subject to a blackoutcondition, that the video content is subject to a blackout conditionwithin at least one market zone, that the video content is not subjectto a blackout condition within at least one market zone, or anycombination thereof.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the video contentis sent to the remote user device after the set-top box determines thatthe remote user device includes an installed blackout enforcementapplication.
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying thevideo content at the display device of the remote user device whenaccess to the video content is not restricted.
 7. The method of claim 1,wherein the video distribution network is an access network of aninternet protocol television system.
 8. The method of claim 7, whereinthe video content is received from a video server of the internetprotocol television system.
 9. The method of claim 7, wherein the videocontent is received from the set-top box device.
 10. The method of claim1, further comprising: determining at the remote user device whetheraccess to the video content is available in exchange for a payment; andsending a payment interface to the display device when the video contentis available in exchange for the payment.
 11. The method of claim 10,further comprising: sending payment information to a billing server; anddisplaying the video content at the remote user device after the paymentinformation is received at the billing server.
 12. The method of claim1, further comprising, in response to a determination that the remoteuser device does not have a blackout enforcement application installed,receiving and installing the blackout enforcement application at theremote user device, wherein the blackout enforcement application isdownloaded and installed at the remote user device in response to aninstruction from the set-top box device to download the blackoutenforcement application from a server.
 13. The method of claim 1,further comprising, in response to a determination that the remote userdevice does not have a blackout enforcement application installed,receiving and installing the blackout enforcement application at theremote user device, wherein the set-top box device sends a message to aserver and wherein a blackout enforcement application is received at theremote user device from the server in response to the message.
 14. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising, in response to a determinationthat the remote user device does not have a blackout enforcementapplication installed, receiving and installing the blackout enforcementapplication at the remote user device, wherein a blackout enforcementapplication is received at the remote user device from the set-top boxdevice.
 15. A method of restricting access to video content, the methodcomprising: receiving a request for video content at a set-top boxdevice from a remote user device via a private access network of aninternet protocol television system; receiving location data at theset-top box device via the private access network, the location dataindicating a location of the remote user device; determining at theset-top box device whether access to the video content is restricted atthe location of the remote user device when the request is received; andinitiating recording of the video content using the set-top box devicewhen the video content is unrestricted at the location of the set-topbox device while the video content is restricted at the location of theremote user device when the request is received.
 16. The method of claim15, further comprising sending blackout data to the remote user device,the blackout data indicating that the video content is inaccessible atthe location of the remote user device when the video content isrestricted at the location of the remote user device.
 17. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising re-directing the video content to theremote user device via the private access network when access to thevideo content is not restricted, wherein re-directing the video contentincludes instructing a video server of the internet protocol televisionsystem to send the video content to the remote user device.
 18. Themethod of claim 15, further comprising: receiving the video content viathe private access network at the set-top box device.
 19. The method ofclaim 18, wherein the video content is sent to a digital video recorderof the set-top box device when the recording of the video content isinitiated.
 20. The method of claim 18, further comprising re-directingthe video content to the remote user device via the private accessnetwork when access to the video content is not restricted at thelocation of the remote user device, wherein re-directing the videocontent includes sending the video content from the set-top box deviceto the remote user device via the internet protocol television system.21. The method of claim 15, further comprising: determining whetheraccess to the video content can be obtained after payment information issent to the internet protocol television system; sending a paymentinterface to the remote user device; sending payment informationreceived from the remote user device via the payment interface to abilling server of the internet protocol television system; and whereinthe billing server instructs a video server of the internet protocoltelevision system to send the video content to the remote user device.22. A set-top box device, comprising: a processor; a memory deviceaccessible to the processor, wherein the memory device includesinstructions executable by the processor to: receive a request for videocontent from a remote user device via a private access network of aninternet protocol television system, determine whether access to thevideo content is subject to a location restriction; receive an estimatedlocation of the remote user device when access to the video content issubject to the location restriction, determine whether access to thevideo content is restricted for the remote user device when the requestis received based on the estimated location; and initiate recording ofthe video content when the video content is unrestricted at a locationof the set-top box device while the video content is restricted for theremote user device when the request is received; and a re-director tore-direct the requested video content to the remote user device via theprivate access network when access to the video content is notrestricted for the remote user device.
 23. The set-top box device ofclaim 22, wherein the memory device further includes instructionsexecutable by the processor to: send a command to an application serverof the internet protocol television system to send offer data to theremote user device when access to the video content is restricted forthe remote user device, the offer data related to an offer to purchasethe video content for viewing.
 24. The set-top box device of claim 22,wherein the location restriction comprises a limitation that inhibitsthe video content from being viewed in one or more market zones.
 25. Theset-top box device of claim 22, wherein the re-director comprises adevice coupled to or integrated with the set-top box device orinstructions stored within the memory device.
 26. A tangiblecomputer-readable storage device storing instructions executable by aprocessor to: send a request for video content to a set-top box from aremote user device, the request causing recording of the video contentin response to the video content being unrestricted at a location of theset-top box while the video content is restricted at a location of theremote user device when the request is sent; receive the video content;analyze data of the video content received in response to the request todetermine whether the video content is subject to a locationrestriction; receive a location estimate for the processor when thevideo content is subject to the location restriction; and send arestriction notice to a display device when analysis of the locationestimate indicates that the processor is within a region where the videocontent is location restricted.
 27. The tangible computer-readablestorage device of claim 26, wherein the data includes at least onemarked data packet that indicates that the video content is subject to ablackout condition, that the video content is not subject to a blackoutcondition, that the video content is subject to a blackout conditionwithin at least one market zone, that the video content is not subjectto a blackout condition within at least one market zone, or anycombination thereof.